Shakhtar head coach Paulo Fonseca fielded a regular line-up for the Europa League. The only change compared to the game vs Konyaspor in Turkey was the appearance of Ivan Ordets in central defence. He came on instead of the injured Yaroslav Rakitskyy. The meeting with the Portuguese was special for Shakhtar midfielder Bernard, being his 100th appearance for the Donetsk club.

Taras Stepanenko got his name on the scoresheet as early as on 5 minutes. Following a set piece by Fred and Ivan Ordets’ challenge for the ball, he fired one home from close range against Braga

First half

Shakhtar players opened the scoring quite early. Taras Stepanenko got his name on the scoresheet as early as on 5 minutes. Following a set piece by Fred and Ivan Ordets’ challenge for the ball, he fired one home from close range against Braga. The Pitmen were not going to rest on their laurels. Having seized the advantage, the hosts didn’t allow the audience to doubt their superiority even for a moment. As always, the right wingers were active: Bohdan Butko and Marlos repeatedly beat their opponents and produced dangerous crosses. One of those could well be fruitful on 19 minutes, but the defender managed to clear the ball for a corner. Midway through the first half, Bernard twice found himself in the thick of the game. Firstly, he attempted a shot on target from tight angle, bringing Facundo Ferreyra one-on-one with the keeper of Braga in the following attack. The Argentine wanted to play spectacularly and make it past the defender, but the Portuguese teammates came to the latter’s rescue – the chance was wasted. As for the visitors, danger came from them mostly after set pieces and flank deliveries. Andriy Pyatov played confidently while rushing out, with defensive third making no errors. The sides left for the break with Donetsk enjoying a narrow lead – 1-0.

Second half

In the opening stages of the second half, Shakhtar were left with just ten men. On 47 minutes, Fred was beautifully breaking away down the middle of the pitch towards the opposition goal, but was brought down by a defender in the penalty area. The referee Tobias Stieler ruled it as diving and showed the Brazilian a yellow card, which was his second. Nevertheless, shortly afterwards the Donetsk team netted the second goal. Bernard was shooting on target following a set playonly to see the ball hit the wall.

The first was the selection Viktor Kovalenko, being the first on the ball, easily beat the Portuguese keeper to make it 2-0

The first was the selection Viktor Kovalenko, being the first on the ball, easily beat the Portuguese keeper to make it 2-0. Despite being short-handed, the Orange-and-Blacks continued to keep the situation under control. Shakhtar’s counterattacks looked particularly threatening. On 74 minutes, Paulo Fonseca made the first substitution. Taison came on for Marlos. Towards the close, Dentinho appeared on the pitch, with Facundo Ferreyra leaving it, with Malyshev replacing Kovalenko in the stoppage time. On 86 minutes, Shakhtar’s number 9 had a good chance to extend the lead, but he decided to pass it to Taison, whose shot was blocked. As a result – 2-0.

The Orange-and-Blacks will play their next game in Zaporizhya on October 2. In the central match of the Premier League Round 10, the Pitmen will play Zorya Luhansk.